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Jess and Dennis were married on September 30th at Old Saint Mary's church in Philadelphia. The reception took place at the Ballroom at the Ben. This was one of the more upscale weddings I did this year and it did not dissapoint! This couple spared no expense to make their dream wedding come to life.

Philip Gabriel Photography

The bridal party stayed at the Hotel Monaco to prepare for the big day. One of my favorite parts of my job is seeing the excitement on everyone's faces the morning of a wedding. Everyone was very excited for the day to start. The bride and groom both seemed very calm even though they were in for one of the most exciting days of their lives.

Philip Gabriel Photography

This couple met on a blind date! They were set up by Dennis' brother-in-law Steve. Steve met Jessica at a work dinner. He later called Dennis and told him "I met your wife!"

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

The bridal party took trolleys to the church and the couple said their vows in front of 170 guests. One of my favorite parts of this ceremony was seeing the four ring bearers (yes--- four!) walk down the aisle. They looked super cute in their mini tuxedos.

Philip Gabriel Photography

I also love to see how the groom looks as the bride is walking down the aisle. Dennis looked very excited to see his soon-to-be-bride!

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

Once the ceremony ended, guests waited outside and did a big bubble exit for the newlyweds!

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

The bridal party then got in the trolley and made their way through the city, making stops at some of historic Philadelphia landmarks. Uusually I head over to the reception venue during this time, however the couple asked me to stay with them while they were getting photos. I made sure everyone stayed on track, and even held an umbrella for the bride, since there was a little bit of rain during this time. These are some of my favorite pictures!

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

Philip Gabriel Photography

Once pictures ended, it was time to party! Everyone headed over to the Ballroom at the Ben to dance the night away! The band "Paris" got everyone up and on the dancefloor! One of the fun surprises happened at the reception when Jess surprised Dennis with a Groom's Cake. However this was not an ordinary cake. This cake was made with twinkies, which was a nod to Denni's love of twinkies.

I was lucky enough to attend Philadelphia Wedding Magazine's Launch Party for their Spring/Summer 2016 issue. It was held this past Thursday at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, which is an amazing venue for any couples who are considering getting married there! I took my good friend Rachel, who also helps me with larger weddings. I got to meet several vendors that I deal with over the phone or through email, so it was nice to put a face with a name. And the new issue is amazing- make sure to check it out! Below are some of the pictures I snapped with my phone. #PhilaLaunchParty #PhilaWeddingLaunch

Maybe your best friend just got engaged, or your niece, cousin, whoever. You know you don't want to get your recently engaged loved one a boring gift card to Bed, Bath, and Beyond (although we love the BB&B!). You want to give them something different, that they will remember for years to come. Here's seven unique ideas that are sure to make you the hit of the engagement party:​1. TheBrideBox.comWhat is it? Similar to Birch Box, this is a monthly subscription for brides delivered to their door. Each month, the bride to be receives a surprise box full of bridal gifts and goodies. You decide the length, and the bride receives cute bridal swag!​

​2. Tickets to a wedding expoWedding expos, or bridal shows, are a great way for couples to find and meet vendors, get ideas, and sometimes get discounted pricing on services. ​​​​You can do a quick Google search for upcoming bridal shows in the couples area and pay for tickets online. An upcoming big show in Philadelphia is the David Tutera Your Wedding Experience on February 28.

3. BrushingBride.comYou can purchase a gift card to this unique wedding dress preservation service. This Philadelphia area company sketches your wedding dress​​ and turns it into a piece of art.

4. StitchPeople.com​Commemorate the start of a family with a custom cross-stitch portrait. Send the artist a photo of the couple and their new name or their wedding date. You can even include the couple's beloved cat or dog. The cross-stitch comes framed, matted and ready to adorn the walls of their newlywed nest.

5. An Experience.Sounds simple enough. Give the give of an elaborate date night, that's already set up for them. Maybe it's a day at the spa, a wine tour, or a hot air balloon ride. Websites like Cloud9Living.com and Experiences.com can help you find and book events in your area.

6. Pay for a wedding vendor or service.If you're close with the couple, a nice gesture is to offer to pay for a service for their wedding. Depending on your budget, family members or close friends sometimes pay for the bride's dress, wedding shoes, hair, or makeup.

7. The gift of a wedding planner.I have personally been "gifted" to brides. As a wedding planner and business owner, I offer gift certificates. Sometimes friends will buy my services for a set amount of hours to have one-on-one consultations with the couple about their wedding plans. Or you can buy a Wedding Coordinator for the day of the wedding, which is a one day service. Contact me for more information regarding gift certificates.​​​​

I had such a fun time attending the Brides, Bubbly, and Brunch event this past Sunday! This was a one of a kind bridal show hosted by Philadelphia Wedding Magazine and was held at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. Local wedding vendors got to chat with 200 attendees regarding their wedding needs. Check out my pictures below and make sure to check out the next issue of Philadelphia Wedding Magazine for more pictures.